The beginning ...

Frank S. Davis sat in his hotel room listening to the sounds outside. He heard the clatter of horse-drawn wagons, the tramp of marching feet, and the shouts of military commands. The time was March 1864 and the city was Memphis.

Davis, understanding these hard times, sensed a real need for an expansion of banking and credit facilities. When the National Banking Act of 1863 was passed, Davis recognized the many advantages offered by a system of national banks chartered and supervised by the Federal government. It was because of this insight that Davis founded the city's first national bank, which grew into today's First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of First Tennessee Bank and FTN Financial.

The bank's charter was received on March 25, 1864. To Davis, that date marked the fulfillment of an earnest ambition; to Memphians, it was the beginning of a new era in banking.

The 150th anniversary of the company was celebrated in 2014, spotlighting the legacy of serving customers that began when Abraham Lincoln was president.

"First Tennessee has served customers through civil war and world war, a yellow fever epidemic, the Great Depression and the Great Recession," said Bryan Jordan, chairman and CEO of First Horizon. "We're proud of that legacy, and we're focused on the future. We're building for our next 150 years."

First Tennessee Bank is the market share leader in Tennessee. FTN Financial is a capital markets leader in fixed income sales, trading, and strategies, with average trading volumes in excess of $5 billion per day.

"Our First Tennessee Bank team is carrying on a tradition that has been important to Tennessee and to generations of customers," Jordan said. "With our 150th anniversary celebration, we are renewing our promise to be the best at serving our customers, one opportunity at a time."

In 2017 our company announced the largest merger in our history with the acquisition of Capital Bank Financial Corporation making us the fourth largest regional bank in the Southeast with $40 billion in assets and more than 300 branches in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Texas and Virginia. Our branches in Tennessee operate as First Tennessee, and branches outside Tennessee operate as Capital Bank.

Our family of companies has approximately 6,000 employees who provide the highest quality service in banking, insurance, fixed-income investments, mortgage, credit and financial planning. First Horizon, First Tennessee Bank, Capital Bank and FTN Financial also claim some of the most loyal and satisfied customers in the industry. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by American Banker and Working Mother magazines.

If you’d like more information on our history, contact our corporate communications team.

Insurance products available through FTB Advisors Insurance Services, Inc. (”FTBIS”), a subsidiary of FTB. Arkansas Insurance License # 247414. In some states, insurance products and annuities are provided by First Horizon Insurance Services, Inc. (“FHIS”), a Tennessee corporation, and a subsidiary of FTB. The principal place of business of FHIS is 165 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38103. California Insurance License # OD12174.

FTBIS, FTB Advisors, Inc., FHIS, and their agents may transact insurance business or offer annuities only in states where they are licensed or where they are exempted or excluded from state insurance licensing requirements.

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website should be considered investment advice; or, a recommendation or offer to buy or sell a security or other financial product or to adopt any investment strategy.

First Tennessee Bank National Association operating as First Tennessee Bank and Capital Bank.

First Horizon National Corporation is the name of the holding company and the firm serves its customers and clients under its First Horizon, First Tennessee Bank, Capital Bank, FTB Advisors, and FTN Financial brands.